South Africa’s agricultural sector has achieved a major diplomatic and trade milestone, following the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a move expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation and unlock new opportunities for South African producers in one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets.
The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, on Friday, ahead of the official opening on G20 Leaders’ Summit.
It lays the foundation for expanded collaboration in crop production, plant protection, animal husbandry, veterinary services, research and development, technology transfer, and agricultural trade.
The MoU’s finalisation comes just three weeks after Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen’s visit to Vietnam – which took place during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit. It also aligns with President Ramaphosa’s directive to all Ministers to move swiftly and decisively in expanding South Africa’s access to export markets.
Steenhuisen highlighted that at its heart, the partnership is built on trust and a shared ambition to strengthen sustainable agricultural systems that deliver economic growth and deepen the warm ties between our countries.
“This agreement strengthens our strategic presence in Asia and supports our mission to broaden market access for South African producers,” Steenhuisen said.
A win for South African producers
The Minister emphasised that the MoU is grounded in tangible progress, noting that they are building on real results.
“Our high-quality oranges have found a loyal and growing audience in Vietnam, where consumers recognise the value of South African produce,” he said.
Vietnam opened its market to South African oranges in May 2024 after the successful conclusion of a bilateral protocol.
In the 2024 season, South Africa exported 53 311 fifteen-kilogram cartons of oranges to Vietnam. In 2025, that figure rose sharply to 209 569 cartons, representing a fourfold increase.
“This growth is a powerful vote of confidence in our exports. It reinforces South Africa’s position as the world’s second-largest citrus exporter and highlights the strong appetite in Asia that our farmers are ready to serve,” the Minister said.
Following the success of oranges, the Minister said South Africa is now pushing for greater access for other citrus products, especially mandarins.
He said with Vietnam’s annual agricultural import market valued at more than 30 billion US dollars, and South Africa’s current exports of edible fruits and nuts valued at around 54 million dollars, the potential for expansion is immense.
“The MoU is designed to accelerate this growth by strengthening cooperation, fast-tracking market penetration and supporting South Africa’s ambition to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in new agricultural export revenue. Such gains will flow directly into rural communities through job creation, increased income, and more resilient local economies.”
South Africa already exports maize, apples, pears and grapes to Vietnam, and the expanded cooperation framework is expected to increase volumes across these categories.
The Minister said work is also underway to secure access for high-value niche products, such as game meat, which will further diversify South Africa’s export basket.
“Ultimately, strengthening ties with Vietnam supports South Africa’s broader objective of deepening access to the Southeast Asian region. As a stable and strategically positioned economy, Vietnam offers a valuable gateway for South African producers seeking to expand in Asia’s dynamic markets,” Steenhuisen said.